Canyon Lake marina site dedicated to Don, Elinor Martin

Don and Elinor Martin stand by the monument dedicated to Martin's Landing, a historical site in Canyon Lake. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

A ceremony was held last week to dedicate a monument honoring the history of Canyon Lake and the couple who have been part of that community and Menifee for decades.

Officials from both cities gathered Oct. 25 at the site of Martin's Landing, which was operated by Don and Elinor Martin from 1968-72. A monument was erected near boat docks by the lake shore, which is now part of the Holiday Harbor park but was once a marina and point of departure for fishing and sightseeing boats.

Elinor Martin's grandfather, Henry Evans, came to this area in 1890. He and his wife Ella Ferrell lived on a 100-acre farm at the east end of what is now Canyon Lake. Their son, George, was born on the farm in 1897. He and his wife moved into a house on Antelope Road, where they raised their children, including Elinor. From 1937-67, they spent half of each year at the Menifee house and half at Railroad Canyon Lake, operating what had become a fishing resort.

Elinor Evans met Don Martin in high school in Perris and the two were married in 1951. After returning from the Army in 1954, Don began working with Elinor on the land, which had become a lake after a portion was sold to the Temescal Water Company in 1927 to construct a dam for water storage.

In 1968, the lake became a private recreational area. The Martins ran a store at Martin's Landing and Don supervised boat rentals. Even then, the residential community of Canyon Lake was being planned. Four years later, the Martin's Landing sign was removed. It returned last week along with the recognition of Don and Elinor, who still live in the community.

"I heard about the [Menifee Historical] Museum and went there hoping to meet Elinor," said Eric Kazakoff, general manager of the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association, who had become interested in the history of the area. "She was there and she was very welcoming. She invited me to her home and I spent the better part of an afternoon with them. I just love them. They're amazing people.

"They really are the pioneers here. They were so instrumental in this place being what it is. I've gotten to know them and consider them friends. We wanted to do something nice for them."

In addition to POA board members, Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman attended the ceremony. He is a member of the board of the Menifee Valley Historical Association, of which Elinor is president. The Martins' sons, Wayne and Steve, were also in attendance.


"We really want to thank all of you," Don Martin said. "This is quite an honor."

"It's kind of interesting, here we are on this spot," Elinor Martin said. "Since 1940, there's been a dock here. It's been called different names, but from 1968-72, it was Martin's Landing. Thank you all for doing this. Now people will always remember the boat dock that was here."

Eric Kazakoff addresses the crowd at the site of the Martin's Landing monument.